Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom are obviously two different movies, but it’s hard to deny their many similarities. While there’s story progression and new characters, there isn’t much more that sets them apart. In turn, I’d say that Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom are essentially the same movie. It’s just that they tell the story through different set pieces and utilize the characters in modern ways.
Before we get started with all the similarities, I want to say that I am a big fan of Jurassic Park. In fact, I really like Jurassic World, and even find Fallen Kingdom to be very entertaining. But I can’t sit by without giving a proper analysis of these movies, and that’s what I’ll do. So, I’m all ready to get started. Are you? Here are all the similarites between Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Owen & Claire’s Relationship Struggles Are Identical In Both Films
In Jurassic World, we’re shown that Owen and Claire have a pre-existing relationship, as they went on a date and were interested in one another. But it ended on a sour note, and they are no longer on good terms, acting just as colleagues. It seems like the two of them are just too different, right? We see them argue, bicker and insult each other, with an inevitable romantic conclusion in the distance. Ironically enough, the disdain they show one another is uncalled for, as they literally went on one date. But they act like a married couple who have been with each other for 50 years and can’t stand each others.
Throughout the movie, we witness an attempt at mixing oil and water, with Claire being the latter, of course! And I must admit, the effort was admirable, as it worked. It seemed like they became a couple at the end of Jurassic World, didn’t it? But, its sequel ruins that progression and dials their relationship back to the beginning phases. Once again, we’re back at square one, instead of following through with the relationship that was built in Jurassic World. It’s weird to throw it all away.
Will They, Won’t They?
In Fallen Kingdom, we witness the exact same relationship struggles as in Jurassic World. Yet again, Claire and Owen are shown to be single, having broken up shortly after the events that took place in Jurassic World. What happened? I’m not sure that even the writers know that, to be honest with you. All we get to know is that Claire and Owen broke up over a remarkably stupid reason. It seems like Claire didn’t want to live in a RV and Owen didn’t let her drive it. I’m honestly baffled I’m even writing this, but that’s what they said in Fallen Kingdom. Sure, there’s more to the story, but it’s the same non-existent relationship struggles that we came across in jurassic World, isn’t it? Just because you spray paint the wall, it doesn’t mean that it’s a different wall, you know!
In conclusion, both movies features Owen and Claire struggle over stupid things, without an ounce of depth in their relationship. It’s like they barely tried giving them a reason to be with each other in Fallen Kingdom, as it’s obvious that they were an afterthought. All the two of them did was re-hash what they did in Jurassic World. That’s it. There’s nothing different. If anything, I’d say that the Fallen Kingdom did an even worse job at making their relationship move forward. It just took many steps back in my book.
Claire Finds Owen, and Yet Again Offers Him A Job He Can’t Refuse
Do you remember how Claire meets Owen in Jurassic World? Masrani asks Claire to seek out Owen, and she does so. It’s what gets the two of them together on-screen for the first time. I don’t have to say what happens next, but what happens in Fallen Kingdom is identical, isn’t it? We see Claire meed with Mills, and he asks her to find Owen in order to catch Blue. Once again, she follows “orders” and finds Owen, bringing him along for the journey.
This has to be an inside joke or something? How do you go from the same method of Claire meeting Owen on-screen in two different movies without a connection? Like, am I missing something here? In all honesty, I didn’t mind it in Jurassic World. It made sense, as Masrani showed actual concern for the safety of Indominus Rex, and the park. So asking for Owen’s expert opinion was logical. But in Fallen Kingdom, why did Mills need Owen? To find Blue, right? Wrong. They spoiled that plot point completely, when the soldiers surrounded the Velociraptor without any problems, shooting it with tranquilizers. Blue didn’t even know that two dozen soldiers had cornered her, so why did they need Owen? They forgot why they invited him in the first place? Nope. The writers forgot how they wrote Owen into the story.
Both Times, They Flee The Island
In both movies, Claire and Owen, together with hundred of people, flee Isla Nublar. While it’s not a big deal, it’s a similarity nonetheless. I’m not even saying that it’s a bad thing, but I can’t leave it off the list, as it’s in fact a part of the story that both movies feature. While I’d say that Jurassic World did it better than Fallen Kingdom, I can’t say that I’m surprised they returned to the island. They’ve gone back to the island in Jurassic Park as well. So I won’t be too hard on the Jurassic World movies for doing it.
The Over-The-Top Comedic Relief Character
In Jurassic World we have Lowery (Jake Johnson), and In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, we have Franklin (Justice Smith). Not only are both the primary comedic relief character in their respective movie, but they are both “tech guys”. This means that they have glasses, a geeky behavior and are constantly doing something on a computer. It’s simply a very trope-filled character type, one that we’ve seen one too many times in movies that don’t require them. Therefore, it’s an odd addition for both movies.
What really bothers me is that Franklin is a bad version of Lowery. If only it would be the other way around. I’m surely not alone in thinking that the sequel “should” be better, right? But in this case, Franklin is a hacker who’s abilities and tech knowledge reach an unrealistic level. I mean, Lowery was just a guy working at the control room. He wasn’t a hacker or anything. He just wanted to put his dino figures in order, drink something from a fast food joint, and tell Vivian how he felt about her. I mean, at least Lowery had some character to him, aside from being just an awkward geeky guy like Franklin.
Henry Wu Created The Indominus Rex & The Indoraptor
Why isn’t it surprising that both dinosaurs that act as nightmare fuel are created by the same person? Henry Wu has outdone himself with these two horror movie villains, and I’d say that it’s a very questionable decision. It’s like they decided to copy/paste the idea from Jurassic World into Fallen Kingdom, hoping that nobody would notice that it’s the exact same thing? While I’m not against another test tube dino, I’m shocked that Henry created both of them.
Test Tube Dinosaurs – Indominus Rex & Indoraptor
Indominus Rex is the “big bad” in Jurassic World. In the sequel, we’re introduced to the scary Indoraptor. These two are test tube babies that twist the very existence of dinosaurs. Also, let me stop you before you say that “every dino is a test tube baby”. That’s true in essence, but it is not the same thing. Every other Dinosaur, except for Indominus Rex and the Indoraptor, are made in the image of paleontologists. In turn, their look is based on fact, not fiction. But when it comes to the Indominus Rex and its twisted sibling, they are completely made up, without being based on any specific dinosaur. If anything, they are a concoction of a many dinosaurs.
One of the main reasons Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom are the same movie is the villain. It’s a bloodthirsty dinosaur that’s very scary, very intelligent and super-cool! Therefore, we’re re-hashing what was done in Jurassic World. But I don’t blame them. I mean, Indominus Rex is in fact one of the coolest dinosaurs in Jurassic Park and Jurassic World history. So it was to be expected that they would use same tricks to paint an oddly similar picture. While that was hardly their intention, that’s definitely how it turned out in the end.
Henry Wu Is The Root of All Problems
In Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom, Henry Wu is the one that’s responsible for the creation of the Indominus Rex and the Indoraptor. But that’s not all, as he’s essentially the one behind the entire storyline of both movies. I mean, just think about it, okay? In Jurassic World, we’re shown that Henry created the dinosaurs as pets in the theme park for the billionaire Masrani, and he also birthed Indominus Rex. Then, in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, he’s the brains behind the operation that is run by the money-hungry Mills. And yet again, Henry Wu created the “big bad” dino in the Indoraptor. You see, it’s very similar.
Blue Fights Indominus Rex & Indoraptor = Undefeated 👑
Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love the Velociraptor better known as Blue. She’s a character that’s better than 95% humans in Jurassic World movies, and her involvment is the key ingredient in making these movies work. I’m sure that I’m not the only one who likes her. Blue is just a well-written dinosaur that talks more with subtle facial expressions and superb body language than with words. After all, she doesn’t speak anything we can understand. In turn, she’s a character that does well in making Jurassic World feel special, and also badass.
This isn’t even a bad similarity. It’s just a matter of fact that Blue goes toe-to-toe with the test tube dinosaur in Jurassic World and in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. In the former, we see Blue attack Indominus Rex, before Tyrannosaurus Rex comes to help. It’s a cool moment that is made even greater by its awesome conclusion, when the Mosasaurus pulls Indominus Rex into the water. It’s like the dinosaurs were all working together, wasn’t it? Nevertheless, it’s a badass scene, one that they repeat to a lesser extent in Fallen Kingdom. In it, we see Blue fight the Indorapter, killing it by… falling on it, I guess? Thus, Blue saves the day in both movies.
Let me reiterate. This similarity isn’t negative. It’s just surprising that both movies decided to utilize Blue essentially the same way in the climax. While they are different in execution, the core storytelling element is the same. We see Blue come to the rescue of Owen and friends, as she battles the test-tube dinosaur to its eventual demise. You see, it’s the same on paper, but the complexity of execution makes it rather different to the naked eye.
Jurassic World & Fallen Kingdom Are the Same Movie, But Use A Different Approach to Achieve the Same Result.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom are pretty much the same movie in terms of creativity. At least when it comes to key elements and vital story points. In turn, I had to put together this list in order to discuss some of the glaring similarities. But keep in mind, not all of the similarities are bad. Some of them make perfect sense, and some don’t. But it’s not black and white. Quite the contrary, it’s in the gray area where we find many of these similarities, as it’s the same event, done differently, time and time again. In turn, it’s all about perspective. So I wonder, what do you think? Do you think that Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom are the same movie or not? Whatever opinion you have, I’m sure you got a few good points to back it up.
Last but not least, let me just say that I really like the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World movies. I grew watching them, so they will forever hold a special place in my heart. But sometimes I’m going to have to be very critical, and sometimes I have to be very observative. In this case, I’m being both. I just wanted to compare the similarities and see what I find. I guess you could say that I did it because I love the franchise and wanted to genuinelly draw comparisons. So, with that being said, I really had fun putting this piece together. I hope you enjoyed reading it.
🦄 Magical movie lists!